Question What glue for polyfelt?

[Melinda Tennis]

I have a 1850 needlework, horrible condition, even after textile conservation. I have archival polyester felt that will be a cushion between the needwork and rag mat and around the edges. PVA glue to the mat, in spots? Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[David Hewitt]

I am speculating that it's fragile, if so, you may want to consider a layer of wedding veil tule between the mat and fabric to help hold it down and together.
Stabilatec would be perfect but I believe it's no longer made. It was very fine and in multiple colors, almost invisible.

 

[Melinda Tennis]

You got that right! I think the tulle would catch the very brittle threads and fabric. The polyfelt is very soft and I tested it against the edge, and it doesn't snag any of the threads. The customer understands it's fragility. I just don't want the polyfelt to sag, out from behind the mat. I most likely will be assembling this face up and use the "expert framing tool" to place brads into the frame, rather than framer's points. So, dots of PVA glue, to tack the polyfelt to the back of the mat?

 

[Ylva]

What kind of glazing will it get? Is DCO with conservation acrylic an option? Hard to tell without seeing the item.
I would be a little hesitant using any glue, even for the polyfelt

 

[Frances M.]

I usually put small areas of glue sporadically placed under batting to hold it in place. I spread the glue out thinly with a q-tip so that it's tacky rather than big globs that can soak into the batting. Makes it much easier to work with the batting if I'm using it for a DCO for a scarf or something similar that requires fiddling with.

 

[Melinda Tennis]

Thank you Frances. That was how I was planning to do it. I am going to put tiny dots on the miniscule mat and spread them. It gets Museum glass, in it's original frame with the rabbet sealed.